If you’re sailing internationally with a cat or dog on board, you’ll quickly learn that pet importation takes time and careful planning.

When I joined my crew mates aboard our boat I didn’t do it alone, along for the ride was our dog Rose. Since leaving Australia she’s been through 15+ countries, and I’ve had to navigate import requirements every step of the way. Here’s what I’ve learned about clearing in with a pet, and what you need to watch out for before you arrive.

Doing the research in advance

If you want to go sailing with a pet there’s 4 main questions to ask before settling on a destination or route.

1. Does the country recognize your animal as a pet?

Some countries only accept cats and dogs for pet importation, while others might allow rabbits, ferrets, birds or horses. Australia accepts dogs, cats, rabbits, horses and some birds, but only from a short list of approved countries and usually with strict conditions. The EU generally allows dogs, cats and ferrets, but not much else, and many Caribbean nations only officially allow dogs and cats. If your pet is not considered a “pet” the import process may be a more complicated than usual, potentially requiring you to go through the agriculture processes.

2. Is your pet’s breed allowed?

Breed restrictions are relatively common worldwide, especially for dogs. Pit bull terriers, Tosa Inu, Fila Brasileiro, and Dogo Argentino are among the dog breeds that are frequently on the banned lists, while Chausie and Bengal cats are usually a no no.

3. Is your country of departure approved?

Some countries only accept pets from a list of pre-approved nations or require stricter testing if you’re arriving from elsewhere. In Trinidad, for example, countries are classified are Category 1, 2 or 3, with additional requirements like a rabies titer testing for Category 2 and 3 countries. Meanwhile, countries like Japan and Australian enforce a lengthy quarantine period for pets coming from anywhere other than a select few countries.

4. What are the entry requirements?

Knowing the entry requirements is an important part of the planning process. Some things need to be done months in advance, such as the rabies titer test, while other requirements may be so difficult for you to meet that it’s better to choose a different sailing destination or keep them aboard during your stay.

Understanding pet import requirements

Each country you sail to will have its own checklist for what’s required to import a pet. In most cases, you’ll need to apply for an import permit in advance, and prove that your pet meets the conditions.

Some of the most common requirements we’ve run into include:

• Microchip registration
• Proof of rabies vaccination
• Rabies titer test (blood test showing immunity)
• Vet-issued health certificates
• Core vaccinations like distemper, parvovirus, or adenovirus
• Parasite treatments (internal and external) administered by a vet
• Disease testing for specific conditions, depending on the country

Not all countries ask for all of these things, but it’s best to be over-prepared than caught off guard at the dock.

Where to find reliable information

Your best bet is to go straight to the official government website or quarantine authority of the country you’re planning to visit. Unfortunately though, these pages aren’t always easy to find or clearly written. That’s where cruiser blogs and pet travel forums can help. Many of us who’ve been through it before share direct links, contacts, and tips based on real experience. On noforeignland you can also join the Pets on Board group to connect with other pet owning cruisers.

The pet importation process step by step

Here’s the general process we follow when preparing to enter a new country with our dog:

1. Research the rules early, ideally weeks or even months before we plan to arrive
2. Apply for an import permit
3. Check the entry conditions carefully and work through the list of vaccinations, tests, and treatments needed
4. Gather documentation and send proof of compliance to the relevant authority if required
5. Present documents on arrival, and sometimes our pet, to customs or veterinary officials

Timing is crucial. Some countries have strict windows for when treatments or certificates must be issued before arrival, so plan carefully.

What is a pet passport

The term “pet passport” gets thrown around a lot, but it doesn’t mean the same thing everywhere.

Some countries, like the UK or those in the European Union, offer official pet passports that contain microchip numbers, vaccination records and vet sign-offs all in one booklet. If you’re planning on sailing around Europe for a while, having an EU Pet Passport can make border crossings easier.

In other countries there’s no equivalent, just a stack of paperwork and vaccination booklets to keep organised yourself.

Keeping travel records organized

Ive found that the key to smooth border entries is staying organised. Here’s my system:

• I keep original documents in a file onboard with the rest of our boat documents
• Copies are scanned and uploaded to a cloud service (like Dropbox or Google Drive) in case I need to email or print them
• I keep offline backups on a hard drive, just in case

I also have a spreadsheet of vaccinations and due dates, so I can make sure nothing gets missed.

Sailing with pets

Sailing with a pet is work, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. I couldn’t imagine sailing without Rose, and she is the happiest, most well adjusted boat dog we could have asked for. To learn more about what it’s like sailing with a dog, check out our owners insight in the NFL Magazine.